Sara Yasin personifies everything Chance to Shine’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is about. During her time as a member, she’s enjoyed shaping Chance to Shine’s decision making, and getting involved with numerous events throughout the calender.
In this blog, Sara reflects on her time with the YAB, and why she’s found it so rewarding…
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The highlights have been endless. The Chance to Shine Awards were super inspiring, with the stories of coaches, teachers, and volunteers serving as a reminder of why this work matters so deeply. They always go above and beyond to make cricket accessible, so as always, it was a joy to be there. Contributing to the Impact Report and seeing how statistics and case studies come together to tell the story of real, lasting change was another positive experience. And of course, the Street Finals are always unforgettable. Seeing hundreds of young people competing with energy and pride, especially as the girls competition grows every year, fills me with hope for the future of the game.
The YAB plays an important role in ensuring that youth voice isn’t just heard but embedded into everything Chance to Shine does. We’ve offered input into projects across communications, operations, fundraising and events, helping shape how young people experience cricket. We share insights from our schools, clubs, and communities to make sure the programmes are inclusive, relevant, and representative of young people everywhere. It’s rewarding to see our ideas influence decisions and make a tangible difference.
My own cricket journey started in an unexpected way. Cricket wasn’t something I had access to at school, and I never imagined it would become such a big part of my life. That changed when I came across community cricket sessions in inner-city Southampton – spaces full of energy, belonging, and opportunity. I joined as the first female participant and, over time, found a sense of confidence and community that I hadn’t experienced before. Now, as both a coach and a YAB member, I’m proud to help create those same opportunities for others because everyone deserves the chance to find their place in cricket.
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